Lu Chu remained confused about the ghost marriage mentioned in the prompt. Since he couldn’t figure it out, he decided to stop dwelling on it. However, just in case, he kept the red cloth from his bed and stored it in his suitcase. Then he put the necklace with the ancient bronze coin around his neck.
It was just past two in the afternoon. Lu Chu sat in his room, reading books and browsing his phone. When he got tired, he lay down to rest.
At dinner time, his mother called him to eat. His father had gone to work, and the family of three had dinner together. His younger sister, Lu Ling, was a freshman in high school. When they finished eating, she started her homework. Lu Chu stayed by her side, tutoring her.
Lu Chu planned to return to school on the sixth of the first lunar month. After staying at home for a few days, New Year’s Eve arrived.
In the morning, the village members went to each house to distribute meat. Lu Chu and his mother busied themselves preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner. By the afternoon, many families had already set off fireworks. Lu Chu took his sister to see the fireworks in the courtyard. When his parents finished preparing dinner, it was time to gather as a family.
Dinner was plentiful, but Lu Chu didn’t see his father. He didn’t dare ask, only noticing his mother occasionally looking at the entrance as if waiting for someone.
Seeing the sky gradually darken, Lu Chu’s mother pulled him to the door, placing the prepared food into a bamboo basket and saying, “Xiao Chu, take this food to your grandfather.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Chu was taken aback, “Grandfather?”
His mother seemed puzzled, “What’s wrong? Don’t you remember the way to the east side of the village? He’s waiting.”
Lu Chu thought about it and said, “I remember.”
He took the bamboo basket and walked out. As he exited the courtyard, he was greeted by the cold wind. Not sure of the direction, Lu Chu could only head east, asking for directions when he met someone along the way. The person he asked was familiar with him, asking curiously, “You don’t remember where your grandfather lives?”
Lu Chu replied, “It’s been so long, I can’t remember.”
The man nodded in understanding and pointed the way for Lu Chu. After walking for about ten minutes, Lu Chu arrived at an old courtyard at the eastern end of the village.
Pushing the courtyard door open, Lu Chu walked in, hearing a faint “creak.” The courtyard was dimly lit, and Lu Chu stood in the doorway, looking inside but not seeing anyone. He decided to call out, “Grandfather?”
A voice answered, “Xiao Chu, come in quickly.”
Lu Chu’s eyes followed the direction of the voice, seeing an elderly man in a Chinese tunic suit, hair white, his body somewhat frail, standing in the dim light, watching him.
Lu Chu walked over, handed him the food basket, and politely said, “Grandfather, here’s the New Year’s Eve dinner my mother prepared.”
The elderly man took the food basket and smiled, “Good, good.”
Lu Chu looked at the old man, feeling a sense of familiarity, as if they had met before. His grandfather pointed to a stone bench by the door, “Xiao Chu, come sit here. Grandpa will get you something nice.”
Lu Chu sat down obediently and watched as his grandfather walked into the house, taking a while to come out. When he returned, he handed Lu Chu a dark yellow envelope, saying, “Xiao Chu, take this.”
Lu Chu took it and asked, “What is it?”
The grandfather smiled kindly, “It’s a small gift from Grandpa. Open it when you get home.”
Lu Chu thanked him, “Thank you, Grandpa.”
His grandfather patted him on the shoulder, “Alright, it’s getting late. Go home and rest early.”
Lu Chu stood up, “Okay, Grandpa. I’ll be leaving now. Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year, Xiao Chu.”
Lu Chu left his grandfather’s house and returned home. When his mother saw him come back, she smiled and asked, “Did you deliver the food to Grandpa?”
Lu Chu nodded, “Yes.”
“Good,” his mother said, “Have some rest. We’ll stay up late tonight.”
Lu Chu responded, “Alright.”
Later, the family gathered in the living room, watching the New Year’s Gala on TV, chatting, and occasionally going outside to watch the fireworks.
Just before midnight, Lu Chu’s father returned. He entered the house with a strong smell of alcohol and a tired look. When he saw Lu Chu, his face softened, and he handed Lu Chu a red envelope, “Here, Xiao Chu, a New Year’s gift from Dad.”
Lu Chu took the red envelope and thanked him, “Thank you, Dad.”
After the New Year, time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the first lunar month. The next day, Lu Chu would return to school. His mother helped him pack his luggage, ensuring he had everything he needed.
The next morning, after a breakfast of dumplings, Lu Chu’s family accompanied him to the town’s bus station, where he would take a bus to the county train station.
Lu Chu said goodbye to his family, boarded the bus, and found a seat by the window. The bus started, and he watched his family wave goodbye until they disappeared from sight.
Sitting in the bus, Lu Chu took out the dark yellow envelope his grandfather had given him. Opening it, he found a piece of folded rice paper inside. Unfolding it, he saw a few lines of traditional Chinese characters written on it—
“Fate is predestined, and the red thread binds;
The seventh round’s destiny, the ghostly bride arrives.”
Lu Chu frowned, not understanding what it meant. He folded the paper back and put it in his pocket, deciding to think about it later.
Upon arriving at the county train station, Lu Chu boarded the train and began his journey back to school.
